A biodiversity-related Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalises how two parties, in this case statutory bodies, engage with each other to fulfil legislative requirements regarding biodiversity conservation. The benefit of formalising engagement with an MOU is the clarification of roles and responsibilities in terms of systems and processes of biodiversity assessment and conservation, as well as best practice guidance and technical support for unforeseen circumstances where the two parties need to collaborate on fulfilling legislative requirements.  Furthermore, where applicable, the biodiversity-related MOU should comply with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Aarhus Convention in relation to access to environmental information, public participation in environmental decision making and environmental justice.

To date, seven Memorandum of Understanding are in place

More information on the UNECE Aarhus Convention can be found here:

http://www.unece.org/env/pp/introduction.html